Parish Management
Listening Sessions and the Passion
Father Patrick M. Carrion Comments Off on Listening Sessions and the Passion
“Seek the City to Come,” the title of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s parish planning process, is in its final stages. In its “open mic” stage, parishioners are reacting to the latest draft regarding what might happen to the 60 parishes being reviewed. The draft has bundled these 60 parishes into 20. The June 2024 Priestalk Read More
Which Parish to Close?
Father Patrick M. Carrion Comments Off on Which Parish to Close?
“Sophie’s Choice” is a 1979 novel penned by William Styron and in three years became a movie starring Meryl Streep. The title of the novel and movie has become an expression when one is given the impossible task of having to choose between two equal goods or two equally bad outcomes. It might describe where Read More
Forming an Easter Parish
Father Michael White Comments Off on Forming an Easter Parish
In our Catholic culture, we sometimes seem to embrace a losing mentality. There are probably many reasons we do this. One comes from the incredible challenges we face as a Church community. We serve in a time of declining Church attendance in many places, as well as a period in which the Church has less Read More
Multi-parish Pastoring Is the New Normal
Daniel J. Cellucci Comments Off on Multi-parish Pastoring Is the New Normal
As a child, I remember my siblings claiming that my mom loved me best. I don’t blame them. I was a terrific child. But every time they said this, my mother would respond vehemently with her own claim: “I love all my children the same.” Now, as the father of four children, I know she Read More
Renewing Your Parish Staff
Owen Phelps Comments Off on Renewing Your Parish Staff
“There is in us an instinct for newness, for renewal, for a liberation of creative power. We seek to awaken in ourselves a force which really changes our lives from within. And yet the same instinct tells us that this change is a recovery of that which is deepest, most original, most personal in ourselves. Read More
Spend Time in Prayer with Christ
Father Michael Ackerman Comments Off on Spend Time in Prayer with Christ
A retired priest friend of mine often jokingly tells me that he is always in a good mood because he is no longer a pastor. Initially, I thought that was a sardonic statement, since it always seemed to me exciting and a great blessing to shepherd God’s people. Now that I am a pastor, I Read More
Simplifying Difficulties
Father Patrick M. Carrion Comments Off on Simplifying Difficulties
Do you ever get exasperated as to why things get so complicated? You are planning something in your head, but when it comes time to execute it, it becomes so complicated. Something that you think will be, and should be, a cinch to pull off, you decide to abandon, as it is now too difficult. Read More
‘Great Resignation’ and the Church
Father Patrick M. Carrion Comments Off on ‘Great Resignation’ and the Church
If the teenager does not show up for his/her shift at McDonald’s, someone else has to flip those burgers and fry the fries, because burgers do not flip or fry themselves. Moreover, the staff that showed up might be checking sodas lines and prepping the kitchen while customers are arriving. So, now, the manager must Read More